FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Chapter 6 6-38 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS 6-167. With few exceptions, indirect-fire assets should not be employed against a level I threat or against those level II threat forces that can be defeated by base or base cluster units or by the response force. These threats are usually individual or small-unit operations, are of limited scope and duration, and provide too fleeting a target for successful engagement by indirect-fire assets. Considerations that affect the application of fire support in the consolidation area include: The reduction of FS capabilities to the MBA. The responsiveness of the available weapons systems. The precision and collateral damage effects of the weapon systems. The availability of observers to identify and adjust targets. 6-168. Consolidation area operations are conducted to ensure friendly forces retain freedom of action to support combat forces engaged in deep and close area operations. The focus is on protecting the most critical capabilities and attacking bypassed enemy forces. There are not enough FA assets to dedicate firing units to consolidation area support as their sole or primary mission. Additionally, surface fires may not be the most responsive asset available for FS in the consolidation area, given range and clearance requirements. The FSCOORD assigns support relationships to corps or division consolidation area operations. They meet these requirements by assigning GS and GSR relationships to FA units able to range the consolidation area while continuing to perform their primary missions in support of deep and close operations. 6-169. Fires must be planned in support of maneuver forces conducting reconnaissance and establishing security while eliminating pockets of resistance in the consolidation area. Fires are planned to support forces conducting a hasty defense to block possible enemy counter attacks. FS and fire planning must be tailored to the more restrictive ROE and the potential congestion of the consolidation area. The most responsive FS assets in the consolidation area are Army armed attack aviation, CAS, armed UAS and mortars. 6-170. All maneuver forces assigned to the consolidation area must have adequate FS assets to execute fires in support of area security, base and base cluster security, and defense. FS assets will destroy enemy remnants, enemy SOF, and protect forces transiting through the consolidation area. FS attack/delivery systems located in the consolidation area do not constitute FS in reserve. For example, FA units supporting the TCF or other units in the support and consolidation areas are committed FA. Other considerations for FS in the support and consolidation areas are: Army aviation or CAS (especially AC-130) may be the most responsive FS asset for use in the support and consolidation areas. Attack helicopters provide one of the most rapidly available assets to engage consolidation area incursions. Army aviation also may be used to rapidly displace towed artillery to critical firing positions. Commanders should consider allocating dedicated CAS missions to the consolidation area. Terrain management, airspace management, and clearance of fires present unique challenges to FS in the consolidation area. If a SACP is established to C2 the consolidation area, it is usually formed on an ad hoc basis and must be augmented with FS personnel to address these challenges (to include JTACs). Since the TCF is considered a committed force, the functions for FS coordination apply. This coordination includes a DS BN supporting a brigade size TCF. A BN size TCF is supported by a cannon battery. The allocation of some of the artillery committed to the TCF for support of the overall consolidation area may be appropriate since one BN split into battery fire bases could cover a considerable area of the consolidation area until the TCF is committed to ensure 360 degree coverage. Also, consider the use of FA units undergoing reconstitution operations as partially available to provide a level of FS for the consolidation area. FSCMs must be more restrictive to protect friendly units. Permissive FSCMs must be approved by the division or corps FSE. Consider leveraging multinational FS attack/delivery platforms that are not permitted to conduct offensive operations by national caveats, but are permitted to conduct defensive operations.